TOWGOOD, James G.: Passed away on June 21, 2015 at the Penticton Regional Hospital. Born in Summerland, in 1932, Jim Towgood was raised with his two predeceased brothers, Art and Rob, on his family's orchard in Trout Creek. He lived in his own wonderland of mountain trails, river canyons, and hot sandy beaches. He was very proud to be taught and trained for the Kelowna regatta by neighbour Eddie Lloyd, he came away with last in the freestyle (age category 16 yrs) but first in the 50 yd. backstroke in his proper age category (14 yrs ). During his last year in high school, Jim took a job as "Student Assistant" in the plant pathology lab at the Summerland Experimental Farm where he isolated pathogenic fungi from diseased plant specimens sent to the lab from all over the Okanogan. He played the staring role in the school play "Henry Aldrich". Jim completed his BA from UBC in 1954. Influenced by the highly respected entomologist, Jimmy Marshall, Jim returned to study that subject at The University of Western Ontario where he completed his MA thesis, "The Inheritance of Dieldrin Resistance in Hylemya antigua" (the onion maggot). With his teaching diploma from UBC, Jim taught high school science at the "North Peace Secondary School'" in Fort St John. Later, under contract to CIDA, Jim taught the "Cambridge Overseas Certificate" program to senior students at Jamhuri High School in Nairobi, Kenya. During school breaks he climbed Mt Kilimanjaro to the highest point of Kibo (5,895 m or 19,341ft above sea level), and Mt Kenya to Point Lenana. Most of his school breaks were spent on the beaches north of Mombassa. Hunting with an underwater spear gun, Jim brought home quite a few large tilapia and one large barracuda. Returning to Canada, Jim taught high school in Kingston and was was a regular volunteer worker at CORK, (the "Canadian Olympic Sailing Regatta"). His perfect adventure was a seven day canoe trip down the Winisk River from Point Lake to James Bay. He owned his own 36' cruising sailboat in which he explored eastern Lake Ontario and the upper St. Laurence river. He frequented the Gananoqui airport where he finally became a licensed Solo Soaring Pilot flying in a Schweizer SGS 2-33 and (finally) the Pilatus B4 acrobatic glider. Quickly after retirement Jim moved back to Summerland, his birthplace in the beautiful Okanagan Valley which was from birth, it seems imprinted in his nervous system, and lived with his companion, Karen Anton. Jim leaves to mourn Karen, her two children (Meghan-Brian- Chilliwack), (Dylan Summerland)), a sister-in-law ( Mary-Tswassen), several nieces (Anne-Miguel & Emilia-Mexico), (Jean and Elizabeth Vancouver), (Leanne & Lois Summerland) and one nephew (John-Hannah, Avabelle & Frida- Uclulet, BC). Jim was loved dearly and will be remembered for his charming nature, his inspiring love of life and learning. Giant's Head by James G. Towgood Rocky massif, looming large, visage lofty, facing south, since time began, patient, silent; in heat and snow lording o'er the scene below. Heat and turmoil formed the giant formed its vista to the south, chasm deep and river mouth. Sage and ponderosa, Balsa root and bunchy grass, beauty yes, but what is beauty in the end? Then came early man and things began. Me thought I saw him frown, but no. Rock of time has no care,Giant's Head has no hair.
↧